PPB December

Today’s technology has created new

categories in the promotional products

industry. Take, for example, lithium-ion

power packs, also referred to as portable

chargers or backup batteries, and similar

multi-tasking devices such as hand

warmers with built-in chargers. These

new, high-tech devices provide an

opportunity to differentiate yourself to

potential clients and the competition by

offering a unique, useful and attention-

getting device for branding. However,

these devices also have some shipping

compliance concerns that need to be

fully understood.

Lithium-Ion Power Packs

A lithium-ion power pack is a

portable USB charging unit that contains

one or more lithium-ion cells or batteries

for storage of energy and device charg-

ing. For compliance in transportation you

first have to know how this product is

defined. Is it a battery, a charger, a bat-

tery contained in a case or a cell con-

tained in equipment? The answer to this

question was provided in a letter from

the Portable Rechargeable Battery

Association (PRBA) sent to the

International Civil Aviation

Organization (ICAO) Dangerous Goods

Panel in April 2013. PRBA stated that

lithium-ion power packs can be consid-

ered cells and batteries contained in

equipment for shipping purposes. The

IATA Dangerous Goods Panel has

agreed so far, and this is how these prod-

ucts are being classified for shipping

PRODUCT SAFETY

T WASN’T SO LONG AGO

that branded stress balls,

pens, key chains and coffee mugs were the promotional

products of choice showcased in most promotional prod-

ucts catalogues and on websites. Serving the purpose of

an inexpensive branding opportunity, these products

came in unique designs and colorful options, and they were con-

sidered to be relatively practical.

DECEMBER 2014 •

PPB

• 59

THINK

BUYER BEWARE

LITHIUM-ION POWER PACKS REQUIRE CAREFUL TRANSPORT

BY CINDY MILLSAPS

201412_ProductSafety_PPB 2013 11/14/14 9:12 AM Page 59